SW-520D Ball Tilt Switch Sensor Module for Arduino

Prototyping and Engineering Tips from Robogears

• Mounting Orientation: The sensor is most sensitive when mounted vertically. In its default state (wires pointing down), the ball rests on the contacts. When tilted (wires horizontal or pointing up), the ball moves away, breaking the circuit. Plan your mechanical mounting based on which orientation should trigger your code.

• Handling "Jitter": Because a mechanical ball can bounce during sudden movements, your code may see multiple rapid ON/OFF signals (chatter). To fix this, implement a small software debounce (e.g., a 50ms delay) before confirming the tilt state.

• Safety Cut-off: This sensor is frequently used in Heaters or Lamps as a "tip-over" switch. If the device falls over, the sensor detects the change and can immediately trigger a relay to cut the power, preventing fires.

• The Potentiometer Role: If your signal LED is always ON or always OFF, rotate the potentiometer until the LED just toggles when you tilt the board. This "calibrates" the comparator to the specific electrical resistance of your switch.

Package Includes

• 1 x Ball Tilt Switch Sensor Module (SW-520D)

Disclaimer

This sensor contains a mechanical ball; it is not suitable for high-vibration environments where constant false triggers might occur. For high-precision angle measurement, consider an MPU6050 Accelerometer.